If my job can be done from home, can I expect my employer to give me the option to work from home?

I’m worried for my safety as COVID-19 continues to be part of our lives.

Amira

Amira

Coquitlam, BC

Many businesses are accommodating requests to work from home, especially during pockets when the pandemic has worsened. As a worker, you have the right to not work in a place that presents an "undue hazard."

Think about your workplace: Do a lot of people work in the office? Do you have to work in tight spaces? Is there no room for you to keep a two-metre distance from each other and otherwise avoid physical contact? If the answers to these questions are a “yes,” then asking to work from home, especially if the work can be done from there, is a reasonable request that an employer should accommodate at these times.

How you package your request is key. Make sure to come to the conversation prepared. Tell your employer how you can do your job well — if not better — from home. Our info on requesting flexible work is on point here. And we have tips for talking with an employer to help you through these tough conversations. 

David Kandestin

David Kandestin

People's Law School
  • This information applies to British Columbia, Canada
  • Reviewed for legal accuracy in December 2021

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